Easy Broccoli Cheese Soup

This is the best broccoli cheese soup I've had, and I love that my 6-year old mostly made it (with my supervision at the stove of course, and I did the chopping). It came together quickly and pleased everyone except the 3-year-old (no surprise there). You're going to want to double this...it just simply didn't make enough to please the leftover-lover in me.

Easy Broccoli Cheese Soup

-slightly adapted from melskitchencafe.com

2 cups chicken or veggie broth

1 small onion, diced

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

4 T butter

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups milk

1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, preferably sharp or extra sharp

1/2 cup shredded swiss cheese

3 cups chopped, lightly steamed or blanched broccoli (I did this in the microwave while I was prepping the rest of the food)

Simmer broth and chopped onion for 15-20 minutes in a covered small saucepan, until onions are soft. Heat milk in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. In a separate medium-sized stockpot, melt butter then add flour, salt and pepper. Cook together, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes, then whisk in warmed milk. Stir and heat together on medium heat until soup starts to thicken, about 5-8 minutes. Add warmed broth and continue to stir until well blended. Add cheeses and stir until completely melted. Stir in steamed broccoli. Add more salt and pepper to taste, if needed. I really wanted to try making bread bowls for this, but time didn't allow. Instead I served it with a fast whole wheat bread that I'll post about soon. Any idiot could successfully make it--and I did!